Scotts to remove phosphorus in fertilizer

ScottsMiracle-Gro will remove all phosphorus from its lawn-maintenance fertilizers sold in the U.S. by the end of next year, according to a report in The Columbus Dispatch.

The Marysville, Ohio-based company said it has reformulated its products and will focus on creating more "efficient and optimized" ways to use nitrogen in its lawn fertilizers.

Phosphorus is associated with algae blooms that last summer closed lakes, reservoirs and beaches in Ohio and have created "dead zones" in Lake Erie.

"We want to provide customers with the tools they need to create the lawn and garden they want while also being stewards of the environment," Jim Hagedorn, Scotts chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Making sure consumers know how they can get great results from our products while also protecting and preserving water is critical."

The move comes as states enact or consider bans on the use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus.

Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin have enacted or are planning restrictions on use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus.

Read more from The Columbus Dispatch here.
View the official announcement from Scotts Miracle-Gro here.